"The Opto Stomp actually uses a Vactrol and light detection to turn the compression element on and off."1
A Vactrol pairs a light source and a light-dependent resistor in one package. As your playing gets louder, the light gets brighter and the resistive element changes, which pulls the level down. The result is the smooth, gradual response players associate with optical compression, the same approach used in classic studio limiters.
What it does
As a compressor, the Opto Stomp evens out the difference between your loudest and quietest notes, raising the floor and taming the peaks so sustained notes hold up and single-note lines sit more evenly in a mix. Its one documented control is a pad21:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Pad | Attenuates the input by negative 15 to 01 |
That pad range matters for how the optical element behaves. A hot input can drive a compressor's detection circuit harder than intended, and the pad for negative 15 to 0 lets you feed the compression element a level it can work with, whether your guitar is a low-output vintage single-coil or a hot humbucker. The Opto Stomp uses a Vactrol and light detection to turn the compression element on and off1.
Scott's view of the design, from his history of BBE pedals, is that it stands apart from the usual guitar-market approach1:
"I would say that this is a very pro audio studio-style circuit. It doesn't feel like anything I've ever seen in the guitar pedal market and it's really, really unique."1
Power and setup
The Opto Stomp runs on a standard 9V DC supply with a center negative plug and draws only 8mA2. That current draw is low, so it shares a multi-output pedalboard supply easily. The pedal's manual is available as a PDF from BBE's site, covering its controls and setup in English2.
Videos
Jeffrey Summers
Simon Smith
JHS Pedals
Questions
Is the BBE Opto Stomp analog or digital?
It is an analog pedal. Its circuit is built around an optical compression element rather than a digital model, which places it in the same family as other light-based compressors that use a Vactrol to control signal levels.
What power supply does the BBE Opto Stomp need?
It runs on 9V DC with a center negative plug, and draws 8mA. That is low enough current for a typical pedalboard power supply to run it alongside several other pedals without strain.
How does an optical compressor like the Opto Stomp work?
It uses a Vactrol and light detection to turn the compression element on and off. As the incoming signal gets louder, the light in the Vactrol gets brighter and the compression element reacts, smoothing out the level without the character of a VCA or chip-based design.
Where can I find the BBE Opto Stomp manual?
The manual is hosted at bbesound.com as a PDF, linked from the product's listing on RockBoard's PedalPedia. It covers the pedal's controls and setup in English.
Sources (2)
- WHY BBE PEDALS ARE AMAZING, JHS Pedals
- Opto Stomp Optical Compressor by BBE, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026